What we know about Virginia double shooting suspect

Credit: Facebook

The man suspected of shooting dead a TV journalist and cameraman previously worked at the same station as the victims before being sacked.

Vester Lee Flanagan II, also known as Bryce Williams, worked as a reporter for WDBJ before he left "not on good terms", according to the station.

Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were both working for the station when they were gunned down this morning.

Following his dismissal in 2013, Flanagan filed a lawsuit against the station, alleging discrimination.

In a number of posts on a Twitter account today, he claimed that victim Ms Parker made "racist comments".

ABC News claimed the suspect faxed a 23-page document to them before carrying out the atrocity.

Flanagan, who appeared on air under the name Bryce Williams, had previously worked as a reporter at a number of stations throughout the southern United States. Credit: Facebook

In April 2012, it was announced that Flanagan, now 41, would be joining WDBJ as a multimedia journalist and general assignment reporter.

He had previously worked as a reporter at a number of stations throughout the southern United States, including WNCT in Greenville, WTWC in Tallahassee and WTOC in Savannah.

At the time he was described as a "veteran reporter with an enormous scope of experience" by WDBJ's news director.

According to the Roanoke Times, he left the station in February 2013.

Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, made a number of claims about the victims on Twitter today. Credit: Twitter

Discussing his past with the station on air after the shooting, WDBJ General Manager Jeff Marks said Flanagan was an "unhappy man".

He told the station: "We employed him as a reporter and he had some talent in that respect.

"He quickly gathered a reputation as someone who was difficult to work with. He was looking out for people to say things that he could take offence to.

"Eventually after many incidents of his anger coming to the fore we dismissed him. He did not take that well. We had to call the police to escort him from the building."

Mr Marks said Flanagan filed an action with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, claiming members of staff had made racist comments about him. The claims was dismissed "out of hand", Mr Marks said.

This image was among several clips of Flanagan reporting posted on his Facebook page. Credit: Facebook

He said Flanagan had continued to live in the local area and that employees occasionally bumped into him, but there had never been any reports of trouble.

"We had an unhappy former employee but this happens," said Mr Marks.

According to the Roanoke Times, Flanagan filed a lawsuit against the station in May 2014, alleging discrimination by WDBJ. The paper said his case was dismissed by a judge in July 2014.